The Nigeria Diabetes Summit is a gathering of top endocrinologists and other healthcare experts involved in the management of diabetes. The Summit was held at Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja, from July 7-8 with daily panel sessions.
Dr Ijeoma Dozie, Consultant Family Physician, International Board Certified Lifestyle Medicine Physician, and the Medical Director of Avon Medical Practice, joined a panel of other key speakers at the summit, including Prof. Felica Anumah (Professor of Medicine/Endocrinology and Diabetology), Prof. Babatope Kolawole (Professor of Medicine and Consultant Physician), Dr Blessing Chukwukelu (Chief Consultant Family Physician and VP Society of Family Physicians of Nigeria (SOFPON), Dr Ozuomba Sixtus (Consultant Family Physician and Chairman Lagos state SOFPON), and Dr Ifeoma Monye (Chief Consultant Family Physician and Board-Certified Lifestyle Medicine Physician).
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects millions of people across sub-Saharan Africa. In Nigeria, especially, the incidence of diabetes is on the rise and remains a major public concern.
On a panel about “The Crucial Role of Lifestyle Therapeutic Interventions in the Prevention, Treatment, and Reversal of Type 2 Diabetes”, Dr Ijeoma Dozie commented: “Healthy eating, a pillar of lifestyle medicine, is vital, and the benefits derived from eating right cannot be over-emphasized”. She stressed the benefits of eating in a whole-food plant-based (WFPB) manner, comprising both macro and micronutrients, eating adequate amounts of protein and complex carbohydrates, cutting down added sugars and minimizing both harmful fats and processed carbohydrates, should be the eating pattern of diabetics and those wishing to prevent the condition.”
She also explained the recommended portions of the different food groups, stating that eating at restaurants that sell good quality food, for instance, meals that aren’t too oily and are rich in vegetables should be an added goal.
Dr Dozie cited the “Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP), a study that compared Intensive Lifestyle Interventions (ILI) to Metformin, showcasing the remarkable outcomes of two-fold reduction in the incidence of Type2DM from Pre-Diabetes that was seen in the Intensive Lifestyle Intervention (ILI) group compared to the metformin and placebo groups.
Avon Medical Practice is a leading multispecialty healthcare provider and a growing healthcare network committed to improving lives across Africa. The Avon Medical network of services includes a full-service hospital in Surulere; a state-of-the-art Avon Dialysis Centre in Ikeja, both in Lagos, and multiple onsite clinics across Nigeria.
Avon Medical is committed to bringing global standards to Healthcare.